Seeking Balance in All Things.

Category: Lean Wolf

Being in the fitness industry for over ten years has definitely opened my eyes to LOTS of mistakes people make when they begin a new routine. Weight loss seems to be super easy for some and then for the rest of the world it is a GIANT mystery! Why does this work? Why doesn’t this work? Is this healthy? Can I eat that? Etc. Etc. I am in the process of putting together some SIMPLE tip sheets for my personal training clients. I thought I would share a few with you guys as well!! Here is the first one! Let me know what you think!!! Comments? Questions? Suggestions for my next Tip Sheet?? I want to hear from you! 🙂

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I confess I am a wannabee Yogi. I don’t practice nearly enough. I am a professional procrastinator which has taken a toll on my yoga goals. Those times that I do make it to my mat to practice, my soul is revived! Yoga is like medicine for me!

When I grow up, I want to be a 20-something tan, blonde chick living in Aruba teaching yoga & rescuing animals, okay?? Seriously, doesn’t that sound fantastic? The author of this book meets all of that criteria!!

Rachel Brathen

I discovered this bad ass Yogi through her Instagram posts. Her name is Rachel Brathen, aka – Instagram’s @yogagirl. What I love most about her is that she is full of honesty. Her Instagram posts can be quite emotional; therefore, they aren’t always pretty. She has bared her soul more than a few times to her followers. That’s what made me buy her book. That’s what this world needs more of. Raw, honest, emotion. So before I climb farther on top of my soap box, let’s talk about it…

The Book

(This cover makes me want to head on over to delta.com and book a flight to Aruba ASAP!)

While reading Yoga Girl, Rachel gives readers a deeper glimpse into her life. Openly sharing childhood tragedy, troubled teenage years, and her struggle with labels. She talks intimately about her triumphs and her failures. She shares beautiful pictures, yoga routines and even some delicious recipes!

As I stated earlier, I am a WANNABE. This chick is the real deal! No worries though, her book is written to ANYONE who gets, or wants to get, on a mat (in fact, she says so in her book dedication).

PHOTOS: Just like the book cover, the photos included within these pages are breathtaking! There are candid shots, yoga poses, and the most beautiful natural scenery! They are truly a feast for the eyes and add even more impact to the message of the book.

YOGA ROUTINES: The yoga sequences are written so that anyone can master them. They are beautifully depicted and underneath each movement is a description that when read aloud sounds just like your typical day in yoga class. “Inhale to lengthen the spine…” “Exhale to step back one foot at a time…” “Come to a standing position…” Seriously, you can just have someone read these to you while you do them and save your $15 drop-in yoga class fee for the day!

RECIPES: Rachel includes step by step instructions on how to make some of her favorites dishes! I have already tried a couple! The carrot ginger soup is YUMMO!!!! Her holistic approach to food gives you permission to enjoy eating while at the same time fueling your body with healthy nutrients!

KEEPIN’ IT REAL: I love that Rachel talks about real issues that everyone faces. Body image. Expectation. Disappointment. She is open to the fact that we are all human. We will never be perfect. We may never live up to someone else’s expectations, but she also lets the reader know, that is okay. We are all here for a purpose. We are here to live our lives in a way that produces health and happiness. We don’t have to settle for anything less.

Rachel encourages readers to shed the weights that have been holding you back. She encourages living! True living! This book is truly inspiring!!! I have read it at least three times, and each time I discover another truth to carry with me as I journey through life.

If you need a boost, a pick me up, a smile. If you are looking for direction in life. If you are searching for peace, but aren’t quite sure how to find it. This book is for you!!!!

THOUGHTS: Leave me comments. I want to hear from you! Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?

After you check out the book, head over and check out Rachel’s website oneoeight.com. It is an amazing tool with yoga videos, guided meditations, advice, recipes and so much more!!

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I’ve been a personal trainer for 10 years now…whoa…. it’s been a minute!

Thanks to personal training I’ve had the pleasure of working with some pretty cool folks! I landed my very first personal training job working for two professional bodybuilders John DeFendis and the late Mat DuVall (…talk about an intimidating interview! These guys are HUGE!). I owe my start in the business, and a lot of knowledge about training/nutrition, to them. They gave me a foundation that to this day remains timeless. In a world of fitness fads, they taught me that new isn’t always better.

Many trainers and individuals have served as inspiration for my fitness journey. Each and every one of them pushed me to break past intimidation and reach for what I wanted out of life. There is one trainer that does happen to stand out from the rest…

Love this guy!

I met my handsome husband, Brent, at the gym. He was a fellow trainer, just some crazy guy that tended to loiter in my office a little too long. He and I began working out together and to be honest I stole a LOT of training ideas from him (shhhh it will be our secret).

Fact is, no one has been more inspiring/encouraging to me than my hubs, Brent (note: no one has ever driven me more crazy either!). He has taught me tons in our crazy life together. He helped, still helps me, face my fears. My fears of not being good enough. My fears of being left behind. My fears of other’s opinions. He taught me it was ok to fail (in & out of the gym). He held my hand and led me to accept myself for who I was.

Enough of the sappiness…he also taught me proper form, weight-lifting technique, how to use hand wraps, the importance of having a decent spotter and a TON about eating to be lean. Brent is an old-schooler when it comes to fitness. If you wanna know how to get the best physique quickly and efficiently he’s your man! He is responsible for the fact that I am, and forever will be, a lifter at heart. I mean for real, I like the movie Pumping Iron. I blame him completely.

I have lazy days (ok, weeks). I am a real person (with real shit to deal with). I work a full time job. I am no longer able to spend hours and hours at the gym. But…

I still love all things fitness! While Brent is an old-school iron pumper. I am random. Especially in fitness! I get bored with the same ol’ routines, same ol’ classes, same ol’ results. I am constantly switching things up. I am a lover of Crossfit, Yoga, Zumba, Kickboxing, Boot Camp, Bodybuilding, Tabata, Cycling, Hiking, etc.

I have recently been slacking off in my eating and exercise routine! What a difference in how I feel. I am dragging!! I am logging off now, I have a hot date with my stairs…Look for a full body stair workout post soon!!!

I hope that by sharing my story I can inspire someone else to push past the fear! Take charge of your life! If I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Give me a shout out! Tell me about your fitness routines!

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Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (ok maybe just one state over from where I am right now) lived a chick who NEVER had ANY weight issues. She had never given THOUGHT to working out at a gym. Then the UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED!!!! The girl had kids! Her body turned into a stranger! She was overweight, unhappy, unhealthy and was clueless as to how to deal!!!

Yep, you guessed it…I’m the chick. After the birth of my third kid (I have 5 total! They all ROCK!) I got tired of being tired. You feel me?? I hated to look in the mirror. I felt worn down all the time. I had to do something, but what?!? I tried a million workout videos and just as many quick weight loss schemes. I would lose a few pounds but then put it back on. Depression, a presence I have dealt with since the age of 18, began to tighten its grip.

I was either going to fight back or give in to the darkness. I chose to fight.

I was going to DO THIS! I was going to lose the weight and be a hot mama! I headed to the local YMCA. I joined, did a short cardio session. Then I went home and didn’t return for another month! I had three young children at home to deal with. I had more important things to think of. I had places to be. I had a plethora of excuses and let me tell you, I used them!

The truth is, I was terrified of the gym. Saying I was intimidated would be an understatement! I had never even SEEN most of those machines so of course I had NO IDEA how to use them!!! There were days I put on my gym clothes, got in the car, drove to the gym. Only to sit in the parking lot for 10 minutes before deciding to turn around and go home. It took multiple times to actually step my foot in the door, but I DID IT.

I found a comfortable elliptical in the corner out of the way. That became my go-to spot at the gym. It was there that I became a cardio queen!! I was killing it on that thing!! I starting losing a little weight & I was digging the weight loss but it was not a quick process. I was growing increasingly bored in my corner spot. Lucky for me, I caught the eye of a couple trainers. These two took me under their wing & let me join in on their personal workouts. They poured knowledge out and I soaked up as much as I could!

Those two changed my life. That small act of kindness, allowing me to join their workouts, was pivotal in my life. Kindness has a tendency to produce some pretty awesome shit!

I began to LOVE the gym. It became my refuge. I could take my frustrations and fears there & leave them!! I felt great, like I could conquer anything. For the first time in my life I felt comfortable going to the gym!! GO ME!

I lost the weight I wanted to lose and then some. I went from being overweight, unhappy, defeated to being healthy weight, energetic and happy! From a size 14-16 to a size 4-6. I didn’t have to dread getting dressed!!! Wooo hoooo!!!! I wanted to pass along that kindness I had been shown, so I became a trainer myself.

Hope sharing this helps someone else! If I can do it YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

Tell me about your own successes/failures. What are some of the fears you are in need of conquering??